Lamp having revolvable figurine



Nov. 27, 1956 3, oss 2,772,348

LAMP HAVING REVOLVABLE FIGURINE Filed Jan. 9, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I29. 3. INVENTOR.

GERALD M035 Y A TTORNE K Nov. 27, 1956 G. Moss LAMP HAVING REVOLVABLE FIGURINE 2 Sheets-Shee1t 2 Filed Jan. 9, 1956 v III/I;

I INVENTOR. GERALD MOSS BY 2 ATTORNEY United States Patent 2,772,348 LAMP HAVENG REvoLvAnLE FIGURINE Gerald Moss, San Francisco, Calif.

Application January 9, 1956, Serial No. 557,959

9 Claims. (Cl. 240-2) The invention, in general, relates to lamp manufacture, and more particularly relates to an improved lamp structure incorporating features which alford enhanced sales promotional values as well as which afford pleasing and restful attributes when in use.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved lamp having a revolvable figurine or a revolvable element incorporated therein as a dominant part thereof.

Another important object of my present invention is to provide an improved lamp with revolvable figurine of the indicated nature which is additionally characterized by the provision therein of means for effecting variable lighting effects.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a lamp having a revolvable figurine of the aforementioned character which possesses pleasing and restful attributes when in use.

Other objects of the invention, together with some of the advantageous features thereof, will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment as well as certain modified embodiments of my invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that I am not to be limited to the precise embodiments shown, nor to the precise arrangements of the various parts thereof, asmy invention, as defined in the appended claims, can be embodied in a plurality and variety of forms.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this view showing the shade of the lamp in fragmentary illustration.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Pig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view looking into the bottom of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary exploded view of therotatable elements of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail, taken on the line 5-5 of Pig. 3. i

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view ofa modified embodiment of the present invention;

Fig 7 is a. cross-sectional detail, taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a front c'levational view of still another moditied embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional elevation, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8. 1

in its preferred form, the improvement of my present invention preferably comprises, in combination 'with a lamp including a base, a turntable revolvably mounted on said base, a figurine affixed to said turntable, means for revolving said turntable, together with means for illumi nating said base and by reflection said figurine. A modified embodiment of the invention comprises, in combination with a lamp including a base and a back panel supported on said base, a music box removably secured on said back panel, means for actuatingsaid music box, a

2,772,348 Patented Nov. 27, 1956 figurine on said base, together with means for revolving said figurine. A still further modification of the invention comprises, in combination with a lamp and a music box mounted thereon, a figurine supported on the base of the lamp, together with means for varying the lighting effects about said figurine.

As particularly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the annexed drawings, l provide the conventional elements of a lamp including a base 11, a standard or pedestal generally designated by the reference numeral 12, an electric bulb 13 removably fitted into a socket 14 which is mounted on the upper end of the standard 12, and a lamp shade 16 supported on the standard and surrounding the bulb 13. Preferably, the base 11 is fabricated from a transparent plastic material and is of hollow square configuration, as shown particularly in enlarged view of Fig. 3, to define a relatively large compartment 17 for housing various elements of my improved lamp. The body portion 18 of the standard or pedestal 12 preferably is fabricated from a panel of clear lexiglas and includes a section 19 as well as a slab-top 21 of similar material; the body panel 18 conveniently being fused top and bottom to the top slab 21 and to the upper surface of the base 1.1. To lend attractiveness to the body panel 18, the section 19 thereof is saw-cut in parallel lines, as indicated by the reference numerals 22 and 23, and to further enhance the attractiveness of the body panel 18 of the pedestal, 1 form the same with an irregular cutout section '24 approximately at its transverse center, as shown, as Well as apply at irregular points of the body panel 18, by means of cement or other suitable securing means, a plurality of semi-spheres 2c of variable surface colors to improve the decorative effect. In addition, the

body portion 18 of the standard 12 includes a column 27, which preferably is fabricated from a length of plastic tubing and which is fused top and bottom to the top 21 and base 11; such tubing preferably being coated with a bronze-colored paint, or other colored paint as desired, for contrasting effect with other elements of the lamp thereby to enhance its attractiveness.

The lamp standard also includes an extension sleeve 28 which projects from the top 21 of the body portion 18 to the bulb socket 14 as well as a framework section 29 terminating in a seat 31 for a finial 32 to complete the standard. The framework section 29 serves to support a lamp-shade framework 33 as shown. An electrical conductor 34, which is connected at its one terminal to contacts, not shown, within bulb socket 14, is extended through the extension sleeve 28 and an aligned opening, not shown, in the top 21 and also is extended through the columnar tubing 27 as Well as through an aligned opening in the base 11 for connection at its other terminal to a source of electrical energy, as hereinafter explained for energizing bulb 13 whenever desired.

neither the type, character nor style of the figurine 36 is critical and the same may be altered at will be the substitution of one figurine for another. As shown, a turntable 37 is rotatably mounted on the base 11 in spaced relation to the upper surface thereof, and the figurine 36 is preferably removably secured to the turntable by means of a conventional spring-toggle bolt, not

shown. Means for driving the turntable 37 at a constant, relatively slow speed, conveniently comprises a low horse-power motor 38 so mounted and located within a casing 39 housed within compartment 17 of the base 11 as to present its shaft 41 in a vertical position to project through an opening 42 formed in the top of thebase; the shaft 41 of the motor being slip-fitted to a collar 43 carried by and depending from a disc 44 secured by means of screws 46 to the underside of the turntable 37, all as shown in Figs. and 5 of the annex-ed drawings. By virtue of these connections, the figurine 36 and turntable, as a unit can be removed and replaced with a different figurine mounted on a different turntable s that different effects in the lamp can be effected at will. Or, the turntable 37 may remain connected to motor-shaft 4 1 and the figurine 36, separately, can be removed from the turntable for replacement by any other desired figurine, or one of a similar type in case of inadvertent destruction of the original figurine.

Suitable electrical conductors are provided for effecting the energization of the motor 38 whenever desired, and conductors are also provided for energizing one or more bulbs mounted in compartment 17 of the trans parent base 11 for illuminating the same as well as for indirectly illuminating the figurine 36 by reflection. In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, these additional lighting effects are effected by the provision of two bulbs 47 and 48 which are removably mounted in suitable sockets 49 secured to opposite sides of the inner casing 39 which is fixedly secured by means of screws to the bottom of the base 11 and arranged within compartment 17 thereof. Electrical conductors 51 and 52 are connected at their one terminal to contacts, not shown, within sockets 49 and are connected at their other terminals to contacts', not shown, of, a four-way switch 53 actuated by turning knob 54, see Fig 3, which projects from the front of the base 11, as shown. The four-way switch 53 is somewhat conventional and is commercially available as a two-circuit canopy switch. A main electrical conductor 56 leading from a suitable plug 57, which may be connected to a source of electrical energy, is connected to one contact, not shown, of the motor 38 and is divided as at 58, for connection to one contact of the switch 53; the other contact of the motor 38 being connected to another contact of switch 53 by means of a conductor The principal conductor 34, which is connected to the contacts of the main lamp socket 1 4, is brought within inner casing 39 through a grommet 61 and isextended for connection with still another contact of the main switch 53. Turning the knob 54 of the switch 53 to one position will effect connections between the switch 53 and the main bulb 13 as well as the two small bulbs 47 and 48 to illuminate the base 11 and indirectly to illuminate the figurine 36. Turning the knob, 54 of the switch to a second position will deenergi'ze the bulbs but will energize the motor 38 to revolve the figurine, while turning the knob 54 to a third position will energize both the motor 33 to revolve the figurine 36 as well as to energize all bulbsto give full illumination. A fourth turning position of knob 54 is a fully off position with all bulbs aswell as the motor deenergized and at rest and the lamp fully turned off.

The shade 16 which is mounted upon the standard of the preferred embodiment of the lamp preferably is fabricated of so-called spun glass and is trimmed with any suitable fabric as desired for contrasting effects. To

' lend further attractiveness to the lamp, additional semispheres 26 are cemented or otherwise secured at various locations ontthe lamp shade 16. It is to be understood, of course, that any desired type of shade appropriate to any specific design motif can be mounted upon the standard of the lamp and such shade 15 may be trimmed or can remain plain, as desired. The shade, per se, forms no part of the present invention. j

In Figs. 6 and 7 of the annexed drawings, 1 have illustrated a modified embodiment of the presentinvention which is exemplified in a base 111, a standard 112 on said base, an electric bulb for illumination, as shown in Fig. 1, and a lamp shade 116 supported on the standard and surrounding the bulb. As in the preferred ernbodimcnt, the base 111 is fabricated :of a transparent plas tic material to a hollow square configuration defining an interior compartment 117. The standard 112 includes a body portion 118 having slanting lateral edges 119 and is preferably fabricated of clear plexiglas; the body portion 118 of the standard being surmounted by a flat top 121 and being fused top and bottom to the top 121 and to the rear upper surface of the base 111. To enhance the attractiveness of the lamp, the body portion is saw-cut in parallel lines, as at 122 and 123, and a rectangular panel section 124 is defined at the transverse center thereof. If desired, a plurality of masquerade masks 126 can be cemented or otherwise secured to the body portion of the standard to effect a distinct design motif. The standard 112 includes an extension sleeve 128 and terminates at the top in finial 132 of a desired configuration conforming to the motif of the remainder of the standard.

In accordance with the invention of the modification of Figs. 6 and 7, a figurine 136 is revolvably-mounted on the lamp through the medium of a turntable 137 which is driven by a suitable motor 138 housed in compartment 117 of the base 111. The turntable 137 is removably connected to the shaft, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, of motor 138 through the medium of a slip-fit sleeve 139 depending from the underside of the turntable. A stage effect as a background for the figurine 136 is effected by mounting in upright position a triangular-shaped panel 140 on the turntable immediately behind the figurine 136, and suitable ceramic elements, such as a miniature simulated guitar 141 and a masquerade mask 15% are delinerated on or secured to the panel 140, as shown. In addition to the foregoing, I mount a music box unit 151 on the standard 112 at one side thereof, preferably by means of suitable screws, not shown; the music box being of a conventional type and being actuated by drawing upon a connected chain 152 which has one section depending from the drum of the music box, see'Fig. 7. Additional masquerade masks 126are secured at various points on the shade 116 to enhance the particular motif of-the lamp.

A further modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 affording a lamp of different motif suggesting a dancer in flight. In this modified embodiment, I provide a base 211, a standard 212 on said base, an electric bulb, not shown, removably supported in the socket, also not shown, mounted on the standard 212, and a lamp shade 216. The base 211 is preferably formed of a plastic material and with a platform 211' thereon, and the standard 212 is preferably the standard, a section of the body portion 218 adjacentto the arcuate edge 219' isrendered opaque by coating the section with a black or other opaque paint, while the remaining section of the body portion 218 remains clear except for splashes of gold or yellow paint to simulate a curtain.' The standard 212 includes an extension 228 and terminates in a finial 232 at the top thereof.

The modification of Figs. 8 and'9 includes a figurine 236 which simulates a dancer in flight; said figurine preferably being delineated with ceramics upon a transparent panel. 236 which is disposed in an upright position immediately in front of the body portion 218 of the standard and which is secured in position by fusing the same top and bottom to the top 221 and to the platform 211 of the base of the lamp; To enhance the flight motif, I mount a revolvable propeller 255 on the standard 212 and removably connect the propeller by rneansxof an integral sleeve 256 to the shaft 257 of a motor 258; the casing 239 of which is removably secured to the back of the body portion 218 of the standard by suitable screws, as shown, see Fig. 9. A separate switch 259 is provided, together with a switch lever 261, for turning the motor on and off to revolve the propeller 255 when desired, and suitable electrical conductors 262 and 263 are connected at their one ends to the contacts of the switch 259 and at their other ends to a source of electrical energy. Additional electrical bulbs, not shown, are mounted in sockets, also not shown, at the rear of the body portion 218 of the standard for effecting additional lighting effects for the dancing figurine 236.

It is to be understood that the appended claims are to be accorded a range of equivalents commensurate in scope with the advance made over the prior art.

I claim:

1. A lamp comprising a hollow light transmissive base, a pedestal having a light-reflecting surface mounted on the rear of said base, a turntable, a figurine mounted on said turntable in front of said pedestal, a collar vertically mounted in said turntable, a driven shaft extending vertically through and above said base and removably fitting said collar; said turntable and said figurine being removable as a unit from said shaft, means for driving said shaft to revolve said figurine before said pedestal, and illumination means within said base for illuminating said figurine directly through said light transmissive base and by reflection from the light-reflecting surface of said pedestal.

2. A lamp comprising a hollow light transmissive base, a pedestal having a light-reflecting surface mounted on the rear of said base, a turntable, a figurine mounted on said turntable in front of said pedestal, a collar depending vertically from said turntable, a driven shaft extending vertically through and above said base and removably fitting said collar; said turntable and said figurine being removable as a unit from said shaft, means for driving said shaft to revolve said figurine before said pedestal, illumination means within said base for illuminating said figurine directly through said light transmissive base and by reflection from the light-reflecting surface of said pedestal, and means for selectively energizing said means for driving said shaft and said illumination means.

3. A lamp comprising a hollow base, a pedestal supported on said base, a light bulb and shade surrounding said light bulb mounted above said pedestal illuminating said pedestal from above through a light transmissive panel, said base comprising light transmissive materials, said base enclosing at least one light bulb whereby the lamp has two sources of light, above and below said pedestal, each adapted independently and in combination to illuminate said pedestal, a drive means mounted in said base having a rotary output shaft extending upwardly through said base in front of said pedestal, a figurine removably mounted upon said output shaft above said base for rotation by said drive means, electrical switch means in circuit with both lighting means whereby said figurine is illuminated from below by the light source in said base, from above by said shaded lamp light source or by both, selectively.

4. A lamp comprising a hollow base, a pedestal on said base and a light bulb above said pedestal, said base and pedestal comprising light transmissive plastic, said base enclosing at least one light bulb whereby the lamp has two sources of light, above and below said pedestal, each adapted independently and in combination to illuminate said pedestal, an electric motor mounted in said base having an output drive shaft extending upward through said base in front of said pedestal, a figurine removably mounted upon said output drive shaft above said base for rotation by said drive means, electrical switch means on said lamp in circuit with each lighting means and with said electric motor connected to activate the circuit to the light source within said base for illuminating said figurine and said pedestal from below, to activate the circuit through the upper bulb light source for illuminating said figurine and said pedestal from above, or for energizing said motor for rotating said figurine, selectively.

5. A lamp comprising a hollow base, a pedestal mounted on said base and a light bulb, electrical connecting socket supporting said light bulb, and a shade supported on said pedestal about said light bulb said shade being open at the bottom to allow light beams from said bulb to radiate downwardly, said base comprising light transmissive and reflective plastic, said pedestal comprising a pair of substantially horizontal vertically separated light transmissive plates secured together at one side by a vertical panel to form an open pedestal space between upper and lower plates, a source of light mounted within said base, and a figurine mounted in the open space in said pedestal whereby the vertical panel of said pedestal tends to reflect light upon said figurine, and an electrical switch means wired in circuit with energizing current to the lamp bulb above said pedestal and with the lamp source below said pedestal in said base for energizing said upper and lower light sources for illumination of said figurine cooperative with reflective illumination by said panel from above and from below.

6. A lamp comprising a hollow base, a pedestal mounted on said base, a light source supported on said pedestal to radiate light downwardly upon said pedestal, a light source within said base to radiate light upwardly upon said pedestal, said base comprising light transmissive and reflective plastic, said pedestal comprising a pair of substantially horizontal vertically separated light transmissive plates secured together near one side by a substantially vertical panel and near another by a hollow vertical supporting column opaque to light, thereby to form an open space between upper and lower plates in said pedestal, a figurine mounted in the open space in said pedestal whereby the vertical panel of said pedestal tends to reflect light from the upper and lower light sources upon said figurine, electrical wiring passing into said base for conducting energizing current to both light sources, by being connected directly to the light source within said base and with a continuing lead wire passing through said light opaque hollow column to the light source above the upper plate, whereby the wiring to both light sources is substantially concealed, electrical switch means in said wiring circuit for energizing current to the light source above said pedestal and the light source below said pedestal for illumination of said figurine from above and from below, each cooperative with the reflective illumination by said vertical panel.

7. A lamp comprising a bulb supported in a socket upon a pedestal for illumination of said pedestal, said pedestal comprising upper and lower vertically separated horizontal plates secured together near one edge by a vertical panel to partially house a space at least partially open from the front and sides, said pedestal being supported from below by a hollow base, said plates and base being formed of substantially light transmissive plastic, said base housing an electric motor having a rotary drive shaft extending vertically through the lower plate of said pedestal, a turntable removably mounted on the rotary drive shaft in said open space, a figurine mounted on said turntable for rotation therewith, and a panel mounted on said turntable behind said figurine for rotation and reflec tion of light on said figurine as it rotates.

8. A lamp comprising a light transmissive plastic pedestal comprising horizontal and vertical paneling secured together to present a susbtantial open space at the front and sides, an ornamental figure mounted in the open space in said pedestal, an electric motor mounted on the vertical panel having a rotary output shaft extending through the panel into the open space of the pedestal, a propeller mounted in said space on said output shaft for rotation therewith and reflection of light upon said ornamental figure and illuminating means mounted above and below said pedestal for illuminating the pedestal, ornamental figure therein and rotating propeller.

1 7 9. A lamp comprising a bulb supported in a socket upon a pedestal for illumination of said pedestal, said pedestal comprising upper and lower vertically supported horizontal plates secured together near one edge by a vertical panel to partially house a space at least partially open from the front and sides, said pedestal being supported from below by a hollow base, a light source in said base, said plates and base being formed of substantially light transmissive material, said base housing an electric motor having a rotary drive shaft extending vertically through the lower plate of said pedestal, a turntable removably mounted on the rotary drive shaft in said open space, a figurine mounted on said turntable for rotation therewith, said vertical panel being mounted behind said figurine for reflection of light on said figurine as it rotates.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Kehlmann Jan. 11, Misell Dec. 17, Decker Dec. 28, Nicholson Jan. 29, Loewer June 23,

FOREIGN PATENTS Germany May 2, Great Britain Oct. 19, Great Britain May 20, 

